What is salivary gland?

The salivary gland is an exocrine gland thats secretes enzymes called salivary amylase into the mouth or buccal cavity. The enzyme digests starch into glucose.

Types of salivary glands

Basically there are three types of salivary glands namely:

1. Parotid gland
2. Sublingual gland
3. Submandibular gland

Parotid gland

Parotid gland (par = near; otid = ear) Lies anterior to the ear Mumps - inflammation of the parotid glands caused by the myxovirus which spreads from person to person in saliva

Submandibular gland

Submandibular gland Lies along the medial aspect of the mandibular body

Sublingual gland

Sublingual gland Lies under the tongue and opens into the floor of the mouth

Functions of the slivary gland

Some of the functions of the salivary glands are:

1. Cleanse the mouth and the teeth
2. Dissolve food su that they can be tasted
3. Moistens the food and aids in compacting it into a bolus
4. Contains enzymes, amylase, which initiates chemical digestion, break down carbohydrates into glucose
5. Parasympathetic nervous system